Posts by Garth Meyer
Allen Sanford: BeachLife Ranch ‘just getting started’
by Garth Meyer “BeachLife Ranch” second edition is complete. “Just licking wounds,” said Co-founder Allen Sanford on Monday. “It was a super-successful but exhausting weekend. We put in our steps. I thought it went great. The first year people didn’t quite understand it, this time people were getting it, and our talent over-delivered.” Numbers show…
Read MoreAbout Town Redondo: Beer and wine sales at gas stations, residential design standards confirmed
Beer and wine, general grocery items to be sold at gas stations Beer and wine sales will be allowed at Redondo Beach gas stations after a 4-1 city council vote Sept. 19, the change to also include full-size grocery items – which was the thrust to alter the policy after some station owners sought permission.…
Read MoreNewly discovered graves may haunt LA Metro Green Line through North Redondo Beach
by Garth Meyer Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives confirmed Thursday the existence of grave sites along a railroad right of way near the North Redondo Beach/Lawndale border, where Metro has proposed extending the C Line (Green Line) light rail. Residents who oppose the C Line extension through their neighborhood cite the grave sites as…
Read MoreBeachLife Ranch police report: scalper arrests, horseback patrols
Redondo Beach Police increased its presence on the outskirts of this edition of BeachLife Ranch – in uniform and undercover – aiding in the arrest of six ticket scalpers on the first day. Police recovered hundreds of wristbands. Chief Joe Hoffman also praised a new private security firm that worked the three-day festival. “In my…
Read MoreCouncil says put light rail down Hawthorne Blvd.
by Garth Meyer The City of Redondo Beach made its position official last week on the proposed Metro light rail extension to Torrance: run it down Hawthorne Boulevard on an elevated track. The city council voted 4-0 to take the stance after much testimony Sept. 19. The decision came two days before Metro presented feedback…
Read MoreKings Highway
Photo by Garth Meyer
Read MoreAbout Town Redondo: fatal crash, “Upstander” assemblies
Woman killed by alleged drunk driver A suspected drunk-driving crash killed a 48-year old Torrance woman Monday night at Rindge Lane and Artesia Boulevard. Cassandra Basgall died at the scene of the two-vehicle collision. The other driver was taken to a hospital, and police have not identified the person because of the ongoing investigation, and…
Read MorePlanning commission appointments draw umbrage
by Garth Meyer Appointments to most of the city’s commissions were approved on a 4-1 vote Sept. 12, though some controversy accompanied the process. Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic cast the dissenting vote, for reasons related to accusations from members of the public that Mayor Brand ousted two previous planning commission members in 2021. In the current…
Read More911 dispatcher calls labor situation “dehumanizing”
by Garth Meyer Mia Halsell, a six-year Redondo Beach emergency dispatcher stepped to the podium Sept. 5 at the city council meeting during public comment. She said that, of the 23 people she and a colleague have trained, three remain on the job. She said 911 dispatchers in the city have been in a staffing…
Read MoreWebb team honored with Hughes Award
The Aero Club of Southern California Sept. 6 presented the Howard Hughes Memorial Award to the James Webb Telescope project at a ceremony in Los Angeles. Held at the California Club, Mike Menzel, NASA missions system engineer for Webb, accepted the award, which honors those who have advanced aviation or aerospace technology. The award was…
Read MoreRedondo council lauds skate park, hours may expand
by Garth Meyer Open for four months now, the city skate park on the pier has become “very, very popular,” Police Chief Joe Hoffman told the City Council at its September 12 meeting. By council request, he presented a report on the status of the park, assisted by Lt. Corey King, making four recommendations. First…
Read More“Rad Dads” up security at Redondo school
by Garth Meyer Wearing yellow vests, walkie-talkies at their sides and whistles around their necks, they watch arrivals every morning at the school entrance for an hour and 15 minutes. “Rad Dads” is a new program to enhance security at Riviera Hall Lutheran School in Redondo Beach. This month, fathers of eighth-graders stand watch. In…
Read MoreAbout Town Redondo: City hall communications, new Chamber of Commerce office
City looks to improve communications, customer service The City of Redondo Beach is set to begin a new project to improve its customer service. The six-month effort, approved by the city council at its September 5 meeting, includes monthly team meetings and city-wide customer service training with a focus on consistent messaging to residents. “The…
Read MoreAbout Town Redondo: 60th RUHS reunion, city sued
60th reunion approaches for RUHS class of 1963 The 60th reunion of the Redondo Union High School Class of 1963 is coming together for Sept. 30. Organizers expect a turnout of 62 classmates at Blue Water Grill. “We’re real happy, we were hoping to get 45,” said Kathy (Gonzalez) Cupery, a local resident co-organizer and…
Read MoreRedondo council pauses on how to permit cannabis stores
by Garth Meyer A short-handed city council Tuesday voted to further explore the permitting process for retail marijuana stores in Redondo Beach. The vote included a directive to city staff to look into how to collect taxes on deliveries. After the council passed an ordinance last fall to allow two retail stores, delays ensued as…
Read More